Bristol West Files Registration Statement for Initial Public Offering of Common Stock

DAVIE, Fla., Dec. 17, 2003 -- Bristol West Holdings, Inc. today filed a registration statement, which is not yet effective, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for a proposed public offering of common stock.

Shares will be sold by the Company, which intends to contribute a majority of the proceeds it receives from the offering to its insurance subsidiaries. Shares will also be sold by certain selling stockholders. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. are serving as joint book-running managers for the offering. Copies of the preliminary prospectus related to the offering, when available, may be obtained from the SEC by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or by visiting http://www.sec.gov/.

Bristol West Holdings, Inc. began its operations in 1973 and has become a leading provider of non-standard private passenger automobile insurance through independent agents and brokers.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time of the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.